RBMA Home > Meetings & Education > Annual Meetings > Radiology Summit

Sessions

Monday, May 21, 2012

8:30-8:45 a.m.
President’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
Michael Bohl, RT, MHA, FRBMA

8:45-10 a.m.
GENERAL SESSION Sponsored by
Perspective Driven Strategies for Peak Performance
Steve Bedwell, MD
Dr. Steve Bedwell helps health care professionals boost patient quality scores, reduce diagnostic error rates and discover unexpected solutions to high-priority challenges. He will tickle your funny bone, so he can also rub some raw nerves. Expect a program that's riveting, provocative and explosively funny...and then watch him exceed your expectations.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Explain how to provide a working environment conducive to reducing radiological diagnostic error rates (it's about more than installing PACS and speech recognition software)
Outline at least one strategy to improve inter-office relationships between radiology business managers and clinical staff (don't kid yourself: when professional relationships are strained, your patients know)
List immediately implementable, evidence-based strategies for solving problems and managing frustration so your department can take unflinching action toward high-priority goals

10:45-11 a.m.
Presentation of 2012 RBMA Fellows

11 a.m.-noon
GENERAL SESSION Sponsored by
Change Management for Clinician Leaders
Mitchell Kusy, Ph.D.
Approximately 90,000 avoidable deaths occur per year in the United States even though major improvement efforts are attempted. Anywhere from 50% to 75% of organizational change efforts either fail outright or fail to take hold, based on hundreds of large-scale research studies. Whether it is a health care merger, staff recruitment, the entering of new markets, organizational restructures, team building, performance feedback, or other change strategies, change often fails. Defy these statistical odds. Participate in learning cutting-edge change methods for leading your health care organization through the changes you anticipate now and in the future.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Apply cutting-edge research and strategies to an organizational problem
Explain how to engage others in your organization to create meaningful change
Explain how to fine-tune any change effort you are currently working on to be more successful in the future

1-2 p.m.
Learning Labs and Roundtables
A Learning Lab is a combination of a brief lecture with an extended Q&A with attendees. A Roundtable is an opportunity for Q&A only and a discussion with colleagues.

Learning Lab: Mastering the Art of Change Management (MORE: This session is intended to be a follow up for those who attended the “Change Management for Clinician Leaders” general session. Attend this session to gain a deeper understanding of how to implement tools and strategies to successfully manage change within your own organization.)
Learning Lab: Effective Time Management (MORE: We all have the same number of hours in each day, and most of us will admit that we can do a better job of managing our time. Why is it that some people can accomplish so much, while others simply wonder “where did the time go?” Attend this interactive session, led by Gregory Szabo from MAP Consulting, and identify common “time sucks.” Learn how to manage, minimize and possibly eliminate them altogether in order to make every day an efficiently managed one.)
Roundtable: Ask the Attorney About the Deals Your Colleagues are Doing
Roundtable: EHR and Meaningful Use
Roundtable: Hospital-Based Practices

2:15-3:15 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS

How ICD-10 and Payment Reform Will Change the Radiology Revenue Cycle
Michael Arrigo
The ICD-10 transition in the United States will have the effect of forcing coders, nursing staff, case management, as well as physicians upon each other in ways that most organizations have yet to consider. True ICD-10 readiness in a health care provider or health plan is dependent on all parties being aligned at the same go live date. Coordinating the ICD-10 transition requires a sharp eye in the project management office (PMO) as well as experienced analytics and revenue cycle professionals who work closely with the clinical and operations departments. Learn how ICD-10 will impact and change the current document and revenue cycle process and to be prepared when facing certain risks.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Articulate how ICD-10 will impact the revenue cycle and reimbursement of the radiology profession
Understand shift from Fee for Service (FFS) to Evidenced Based Medicine, Clinical Benchmarking
Explain how payment reform will put physicians at risk in the revenue cycle

Ready, Set, Go! Getting Your Radiologist to Listen (and Learn!)
Melody Mulaik, PCS, FCS, CPC, CPC-H, RCC
Designing and delivering effective training for physicians, and especially radiologists, is a challenging task. This interactive workshop will provide some structured guidelines to assist attendees with being more effective with their own educational effort as well as provide an opportunity for attendees to share their own good, bad and ugly training scenarios.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

List key skills for effective communication that will improve the response to individual and group educational sessions
Identify "show stoppers" that are hindering your effectiveness in communicating with your radiologists
Evaluate your own successes and missed opportunities

How to Prepare Your Organization for Radiation Safety and Dose Management
Jef Williams, MBA, PMP
The state of California was the first to adopt radiation safety legislation with requirements for capturing dose by 2013. This measure will likely gain nationwide adoption. What are you doing to prepare for capturing dose? What will you do with the information once it is captured and reported? Find out how to create a radiation safety program that includes capturing, storing, and reporting radiation dose and what the ACR requires in reporting dose. Touch on the opportunities to leverage the benefits of an effective radiation safety program that improves patient care and positions the organization for success.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Explain the current state of radiation dose and safety standards
List the ACR and dose reporting requirements
Explain how a radiation safety program can benefit your organization

Building a Team Spirit With Your Hospital Partners
Mike Suddendorf
Now more than ever, it is important to get the most out of your relationships with hospital and health system partners. By leveraging and maximizing these relationships, your group practice ultimately stands to position itself as a strategic partner, rather than strictly a service provider. In many cases, small actions can make a big difference. In this session, we’ll identify and examine relationship-building opportunities and strategies, as well as present and consider recent case studies with positive results.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Identify co-marketing opportunities designed to grow volume for key service lines
Maximize relationships in order to build the brand of each organization
Identify opportunities to develop hospital client work groups based upon mutually beneficial strategic initiatives

ACR Economics and RADPAC Update
Ted Burnes, MPA and Maurine S. Dennis, MPH, MBA
This session will cover current economic issues and will identify future trends relating to payment policies. Topics will include payor interactions, coding, and the latest regulatory and legislative updates impacting imaging reimbursement.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Describe ACR’s latest actions on Capitol Hill with respect to proposed Health System Reform Legislation
Explain Medicare’s plans to implement further cuts and ACR’s actions to minimize their impacts
Describe the legislative issues facing the field of radiology during the second half of 2012 and beyond

4-5 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Countdown to ICD-10: What You Need to Do Now!
David Stone
The deadline for ICD-10 is right around the corner. ICD-10 presents both serious concerns and opportunities for radiology practices. As a radiology manager you have just recovered from the effects of transitioning to ANSI X12 5010. Now you are faced with dealing with EHRs, ACOs, increased regulatory compliance activities, Medicare Physician Fee Schedule changes and implementing ICD-10. You are hearing that you need to start now but where do you begin? Identify the steps you need to take now so you can be ready on Oct. 31, 2013.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Perform initial planning for ICD-10 transition
Develop a communications plan
Analyze and evaluate vendor and payor preparedness

Language – The Foundation of Your Business
N. Stephen Ober, MD, MBA
Knowing the intricacies of your organization’s data is vital in today’s market. Health care organizations are required to capture and externally report on exponentially more data than ever before in today’s environment of increasing regulations, meaningful use and quality initiatives. Learning how to analyze the foundational language of physicians' rich narrative and documentation can reveal critical data for quality care delivery, discovery, measurement and research that will help you navigate your business and give you the power to make decisions.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Explain how to make the details of physician-patient interactions work for your organization
Outline strategies for leveraging data mining tools to analyze referral patterns, demographic patterns, payor mix and modality mix, as well as quality initiatives from PQRS and JCAHO requirements
Explain how to access meaningful clinical and financial data too often locked away

Compliance Changes Under Health Care Reform: Are You Prepared?
Jeffrey Hayes, MS, CHC, RT(R)(MR)
Perhaps no other industry faces the legal and regulatory challenges present in health care today (e.g., Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 (FERA)). Administrators must understand these changes and take proactive steps in preparation and mitigation of risk.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Evaluate how recent health care legislation will affect your practice
Determine whether, in your practice, compliance is viewed as an integral part of day-to-day operations or merely an add-on or afterthought
List the seven essential elements of an effective compliance program

Hospital Exclusive Provider Agreements: Stories From the Trenches
W. Kenneth Davis Jr., JD
It’s becoming more the rule for radiology groups to have exclusive provider agreements with their hospitals. As hospitals have come under increasing legal scrutiny, and as they look for ways to integrate services and improve quality, they have been demanding more “concessions.” Consequently, today’s agreements are significantly more detailed and burdensome than in the past. This session will review the state of the art in hospital exclusive provider agreements, with a focus on real world experiences and strategies radiology groups can use to obtain a fair and reasonable agreement.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

List typical provisions, e.g., “performance standards”
Identify seemingly innocuous, but truly insidious, provisions to avoid
Outline negotiating strategies to address the arguments from today’s hospitals, and what to do when all else fails

Modern Imaging Data Interpretation: Your Hidden Advantage
Brian Baker
Beyond the imaging exam, hundreds of data elements support each patient encounter driving revenue, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. While most mature operations know and use a few high level data elements to measure themselves, less obvious data available for decision making, strategy and leverage are rarely used. As imaging reinvents itself to become more efficient with fewer resources available, tapping into and understanding the power of your data will be the key to future success.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Articulate the variety of existing systems and formats that contain your data
Explain how to layer operational analytics over data
Explain how benchmarking key metrics can be used to create leverage

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

8-8:30 a.m.
Welcome and Presentation of Awards
Michael Bohl, RT, MHA, FRBMA

8:30-9:30 a.m.
GENERAL SESSION
Imaging and Accountability: Imaging's Role in the Integrated Health Network
Chad Calendine, MD, Josh Gray, Curtis Kauffman-Pickelle, Robert LaDouceur, Marion McGowan, RN, and Cheryl Proval
This panel session, which will include representatives of a range of stakeholders with a vested interest in the delivery of imaging, will address how a new era of accountability in health care will impact how radiology services are delivered and paid for and how this will affect the practice. Discussion will include a dive into topics such as the de-fragmentation of the current health care system, cost containment, and radiology’s value proposition.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Articulate the core needs of the integrated health network or ACO
Explain radiology’s role in the integrated health care network
Address the tools required to demonstrate radiology’s value proposition in the new order

10:15-11:15 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Living with PPACA: Strategies for Improving Quality and Reimbursement in a Stricter Health Care Reform Environment
Missy T. Lovell, BSN, MBA and Randal Roat, CHBME
How the majority of provisions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will affect the radiology industry remains to be seen since sweeping changes will occur in the coming years. Radiology is set to experience major changes in quality requirements, payment, and its self-referral base. This session will address how radiologists can maintain quality among clinical decision support, obtain reimbursement with new payment models and analyze joint-venture strategies and hospital alignment in an effort to manage a rising patient base.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Explain how to reduce inappropriate imaging with clinical decision support while still maintaining quality standards
Distinguish between new payment models and their role in radiology’s future
Align with a hospital through a joint-venture arrangement in order to take advantage of potentially higher hospital outpatient prospective payment system reimbursement

Building a WOW! Recognition Culture
Mike Byam, MBA
Learn how to keep employees engaged and motivated. Developing a culture of recognition, in which employees are genuinely acknowledged for their contributions, is more important than ever in a challenging economy – not only to bolster flagging spirits, but as a means to maintain productivity, profitability and retention of key employees. This presentation demonstrates key findings on how recognition strategies impact business goals, and provides real-world examples and practical solutions for implementing or enhancing a recognition initiative.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Explain what the latest research shows about how recognition impacts employee engagement, productivity and profitability
Outline how businesses are adapting their employee recognition strategies to respond to the current economy
Review the key steps for developing an effective recognition program and understand how to put them into practice

Barbarians at the Gate: The Health Care Crisis and What It Means for Radiology
Chad Calendine, MD, Josh Gray, Curtis Kauffman-Pickelle, Robert LaDouceur, Marion McGowan, RN, and Cheryl Proval
This follow-up session to the morning panel will provide a deep-dive discussion regarding what is currently happening in each market/HCO and how it is impacting radiology delivery, pricing and service. Attendees will have an opportunity to interact with the panelists and facilitators and pose questions for discussion.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Identify trends occurring regarding the current practice of imaging
Explain various models for consolidation and realignment of incentives
List factors that are contributing to the trend of merging practices

Malpractice Implications of Failure to Communicate
Kelly Emrick, PhD, RT, ARRT, Brian Gale, MD, MBA and Fred Seilkop
This session examines the generally recognized fact that communication is a crucial component in delivering health care services and that the breakdown of communication is a key driver of adverse patient outcomes. Examine risk mitigation methods currently available to reduce exposure to these types of claims, evaluate their effectiveness and validity, and examine how potential future developments might enhance or improve them.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Explain the significance of failure to communicate diagnostic test results
Articulate how to mitigate litigation risk of failure to communicate with appropriate documentation
List the pros and cons of using electronic notification and/or documentation systems to reduce patient safety and litigation risk

Radiologist Compensation Models: One Center's Experience With a Productivity-Based Method
Matt Cox, Jonathan Schwartz and Kenneth Schwartz, MD
A lightning rod topic, productivity-based compensation in radiology has traditionally carried a negative connotation. Constant regulatory change, uncertainty and declining reimbursement are paving the way for increased relevance and adoption of this compensation model. This session will take a candid look at productivity-based compensation for radiologists through the lens of a large hospital-based radiology group’s experience. Explore the benefits, disadvantages, imperfections and considerations as they pertain to patient care, clinician and hospital administration expectations, income stability, radiologist performance and independent group survival.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Explain the potential benefits of productivity based compensation
List the potential pitfalls of implementing productivity based compensation
Outline key factors to implementing a win-win productivity based compensation program and how it can prepare a practice for the ACO world

12:30-1:30 pm
CONCURRENT SESSIONS

PQRS: Theory, Implementation and Practice
Judy Burleson, MHSA and Deborah Emerson, RT(R)(M)(CV)(QM)
By this point, most radiology professionals are familiar with the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). However, not every practice has implemented the measures. What are the incentives to participate? Are there penalties for non-participation? How do you identify the specific measures to implement within your practice? And, most importantly, how to do you get staff and radiologists’ buy-in regarding these measures? Attend this session to gain the ACR’s perspective and knowledge on PQRS and also hear from a front line practice manager who implemented these measures within her own practice.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Outline the radiology specific measures included in PQRS
Determine which measures are a fit for your practice
Articulate suggestions and tips for implementing these measures within a practice

The ACO Alternative: Medical Specialty Wrap-Arounds
Liz Quam
Because of the consolidating marketplace in Minnesota, a group of 45 medical specialists came together to form a legal entity called the Collaborative Care Cooperative – a group marketing themselves to primary care clinics as a "wrap-around" for their total cost of care contracts and as a "plug-in" for the health systems' ACO-type efforts. This is an unusual place for radiology to show leadership but it has been highly beneficial in building relationships with other specialists while offering an alternative to physicians who wish to maintain their independent practices but are willing to collaborate more closely with other specialists. We have designed a "care conferencing" tool and are building a Health Information Exchange (HIE) that fits the groups' individual needs plus working on agreed upon care protocols, with radiology, of course, being key in many of these areas.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

List alternatives to joining a staff-model ACO
Consider HIE issues as a way to form closer ties with referral groups
Initiate finding ways to better coordinate care with your current referral groups

Strategic Planning for Radiologists: Challenging Times Require Proactive Directions
Robert Maier, CPA
Radiologists and their practices are confused and challenged in these uncertain times. Reductions in reimbursement, health care reform, alignment strategies with hospitals and ACOs, imaging center sales or acquisitions…what's next and how should you respond? This presentation will take you through a step-by-step process to understand your market and competition and identify the right opportunities and strategies to ensure your group’s security and success. This program will provide a complete understanding of the strategic planning process and help you to design your own implementation plan.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Outline the necessary steps to acquire the right information to set the stage for the planning process
Identify the critical challenges to your practice's viability and relationships
Identify the key opportunities for your practice or imaging services

ICD-10 – Prepare for the Unexpected
Denise Cawley, MHA, CPC and Brigette LaBar
ICD-10 is an unknown terrain that the country is going toward. No one knows what to expect. Some expect productivity to decrease by as much as 50% due to its implementation. Some predict this new system will result in a shortage of coders. Is any of this true? This presentation will investigate the impacts – both foreseen and unforeseen – that ICD-10 implementation will have on radiology billing companies and radiology groups.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Outline the impact ICD-10 will have on everyday operations
Evaluate potentially unexpected consequences of ICD-10 implementation
Explain what practices need to do to prepare in advance of the implementation date

Measuring Your Marketing Effect: Translating the Code
Brian Baker
One of the biggest challenges for any marketing agenda is measuring the direct impact of programs on your audience. Translating the code for measuring the influence of your marketing efforts reside in the data, techniques and tools available to modern imaging operations. Few businesses have the luxury and ability to measure and value their effect on a market like imaging operations. Tapping into that data and learning how to interpret and use it can have dramatically positive effects on your market share and customer satisfaction.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Outline the systems containing data and how to tap them
Explain how to turn data into information and measures
Leverage data to drive market capture and compensation

2:15-3:15 p.m.
Learning Labs and Roundtables
A Learning Lab is a combination of a brief lecture with an extended Q&A with attendees. A Roundtable is an opportunity for Q&A only and a discussion with your colleagues.

Learning Lab: Effective Supervision (MORE: Everyone would like to think they are a great boss, but the truth is that there are both good and bad bosses in the world. What are the qualities of an effective supervisor? How can you develop these skills yourself? It’s easier than you think. Attend this session and find out how.)
Roundtable: Executive Idea Swap (MORE: Are you a seasoned radiology professional? Then this session is for you! Bring your high-level challenges you are currently facing and engage in an exchange with other experienced colleagues.)
Roundtable: Hospital-Based Practices
Roundtable: Billing Services
Roundtable: Imaging Centers

3:30-5 p.m.
Hot Topics Panel: Ask the RBMA Experts
Richard Duszak, MD, FACR, FRBMA, Pam Kassing, MPA, RCC, Wendy Lomers, CPA, MBA, Randal Roat, CHBME, Greg Rose, MD, PhD and Douglas Smith, FRBMA
With all the change currently taking place within the health care industry in general, and the imaging industry specifically, who knows what the hottest topic will be at this year's Summit? Who will decide? You, of course! RBMA has created this panel session, moderated by Greg Rose, MD, PhD, to allow attendees to pose their toughest questions to some of the most experienced minds in the industry! The session will begin with a discussion on performance metrics currently driving management and compensation. It is reported that even the suggestion of such a topic at a radiology group's meetings can lead to an uncivil reaction. Panel members will share their wisdom and experience regarding the pros and cons of such a system. At the conculsion of the discussion on this topic, the microphone will be turned over to the audience to pose questions directly to the panelists. So think of your current challenges and come prepared for a highly interactive and engaging session!

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Articulate the variety of risks and benefits of implementing a differential compensation model within a practice
Select the best implementation plan for this process and outline a strategy to manage this process
List at least three of the biggest challenges facing the imaging industry and options for successfully addressing these challenges

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

8:30-9:30 a.m.
GENERAL SESSION
Communication Bleeps and Blunders in Business
Todd Hunt
You said one thing; your patient or physician heard something else. Nobody is wrong, but now everyone’s confused! Laugh and learn as business humorist Todd Hunt inspires us to communicate not just so clearly that we’re understood, but so precisely that we cannot possibly be MISunderstood. He’ll laugh at himself first – he’s a Recovering Anal Retentive Professional (RARP) who finally learned to lighten up. If you eat M&Ms in color order, alphabetize your cereal boxes or rearrange the dishwasher because you don’t like the way your significant other loaded it, you may just relate. If not, you’ll still enjoy Todd’s communication lessons wrapped in humor.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Outline common communication blunders
Consider the perspective of the listener when attempting to communicate
List methods to eliminate miscommunications

9:45-10:45 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Are You Considering Selling Your Imaging Center or Practice Or Merging With Your Healthcare System? Part 1 of 2
Richard Cooper, JD and Kirk Rebane, ASA, CFA
This presentation focuses on the key issues that drive an organization toward considering the sale or merger of a radiology business. In addition to general business reasons for a transaction, macro drivers of transactional trends will be discussed, along with the impact of health reform and ACOs on the frequency of, nature of, and terms of radiology and imaging transactions and joint ventures. This presentation will help you to identify ways in which a transaction will help you to survive healthcare reform. This presentation will also help you to develop a strategic framework to (a) determine whether a transaction will be beneficial for your radiology business and (b) evaluate the merits of alternative buyers/partners, transactions and structures. Finally, this presentation will provide an overview of recent transactions and projected transaction types, frequencies, and valuations.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Outline a plan to develop a strategic framework to identify high potential arrangements, and use set processes to execute the integration strategy
Explain the various impacts of health reform and ACOs on radiology and imaging providers and their catalyst for transactions
Articulate strategic advantages and opportunities that can flow from the relationships forged through such transactions
Develop a strategic framework to evaluate the merits of alternative buyers/partners, transactions and structures

Embracing Operational Excellence in Imaging Using a Mixed Methods Approach
Airica Steed, RN, MBA, Ed.D. and Mark W. Steffen, FAHRA, CRA
Using a real-life example, find out how Advocate Condell Medical Center embraced a mixed methods transformation strategy to enhance imaging service line revenue and decrease costs while maintaining superior levels of service to patients. The strategy emphasized empowering the front-line associates to challenge current paradigms and create change with the support and empowerment of leadership.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Explain the mixed methods organizational change strategy used to transform imaging services at Advocate Condell Medical Center
List specific and tangible best practices that could be leveraged in other imaging areas
Outline specific leadership lessons learned that could be leveraged in other leaders’ change journeys including accreditation, self referral and much more

What Is Keeping You Up at Night: Driving Business to Hospital-Based Imaging?
Sherri Lewman and Laurie Slater
The climate has truly shifted and created difficult strategic challenges bound by regulations and financial constraints. Imaging costs have been the fastest growing segments in health care, triggering aggressive payor responses intended to force consolidation of the market. Thus, independent center administrators and staff are finding themselves either competing for space in the market or swimming in a sea of hospital-based regulation. The strategy hospital administrators have faced is to aggressively price services to payors to create allies that will, in turn, promote their facilities to patients and referring physicians coupled with aggressively marketing to these same customers. Understanding how to navigate through the issues is critical for overall success. Learn from a leader who operates in a highly competitive market with a hospital-based portfolio.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of legal implications for hospital-based imaging entities
Explain the best approach to retain and grow business
Apply strategies to use in the marketplace

11 a.m.-noon
CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Are You Considering Selling Your Imaging Center or Practice Or Merging With Your Healthcare System? Part 2 of 2
Richard Cooper, JD and Kirk Rebane, ASA, CFA
This presentation focuses on the key issues that organizations face when preparing for a sale or merger and provides a brief overview of the issues that arise during a transaction. This presentation will include a discussion on how to best position the business for sale or merger by identifying the key business, financial, legal, and operational matters that should be considered or addressed prior to beginning to solicit a transaction. This presentation will include a discussion of the factors impacting both deal structure and deal value as well as transactions efficacy, and methods to optimize each. In addition, this presentation will address the various agreements that will be created in a transaction, and the key legal, financial, and valuation issues related thereto, including issues under agreements such as the purchase/merger agreement, employment agreements, management and co-management agreements, professional services agreements, billing agreements, medical director agreements, lease agreements, etc. Finally, this presentation addresses the various stages in the deal process and the roles of attorneys, investment bankers, accountants, and other advisors.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

List the steps should be taken prior to selling or merging a radiology business in order to maximize the purchase price and optimize the terms obtained in the transaction
Outline the key issues that will need to be addressed in connection with the sale or merger of a radiology business
Articulate the typical process involved in taking a transaction from start to finish, and the most important aspects, documents, and arrangements to such a transaction

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: Teleradiology for Radiology Practices Ain’t What It Used to Be
Mark Stevens
Radiology practice managers operate in world of declining reimbursements and increased competition from both neighboring and national radiology practices. They operate in a world of increased demands from hospital administrators and members of the medical staff. Practice managers must leverage every opportunity to control costs and increase satisfaction while delivering more for less. Teleradiology, whether insourced or outsourced, can be leveraged by any practice to reduce costs, increase service offerings and repel the competition. Attend this presentation to find out how.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Evaluate insourcing opportunities and bartering opportunities that teleradiology presents
Articulate the changing dynamic of prelims vs. final reports in teleradiology
Evaluate sub-specialty demands while maintaining your footing on this slippery slope

ACO Models Can Offer Radiology Groups Diversity in Participation, Structure and Governance
Harry Purcell and Randal Roat, CHBME
New ACO payment models legislated under PPACA are envisioned to be very diverse in terms of structure, participation and governance, but will ultimately be primary care oriented. ACOs can take various configurations, but regardless of specific organizational form, the ACO model has several key design features based on the needs of an individual group, and many physician groups are eligible to share in savings demonstrated by the ACO. This session will outline the key principles of accountable care and analyze ACO models for improved performance and revenue.

At the conclusion of this session the attendee will be able to:

Utilize accountable care principles for long-term clinical improvement
Compare ACOs with other payment reform programs including primary care, bundled payments, and partial and full capitation
Differentiate between asymmetric, symmetric and partial capitation ACO models
Determine ACO models that best fit your individual group’s needs, based on IT infrastructure, governance structure and organizational capacity